Last fall I bought a set of acrylic paints to use with the kids. I didn't have a particular project in mind, it just seemed like a good thing to have around. Then I never opened them, afraid of the mess that would, most likely, follow, and how difficult it would be to police the creative zone and remove creative splatter from hands, clothing, walls...
In December, I bought two big canvasses. Our home is still relatively undecorated and the wall over the mantlepiece cries out for something colorful, so why not a collaborative painting by me and the kids? The canvasses then went to live in a closet because their huge white expanse + the aforementioned splatter fright intimidated the hell out of me.
But today, inspired by the word drawn out of the hat last night (thanks, Penny!), I broke out the paints, set the canvas on the basement floor, and Griff, Xander (who is two), and I went to work. Reese (4.5 y/o) joined us for some later color mixing. This was all of our first experience with acrylics, nor do I think any of us have painted on canvas before. We all really enjoyed the bright colors and the easy way they spread across the stretched cotton. I also enjoyed the easy cleanup. Anxiety begone!
Since we worked on it together, this project did double duty for both Griff's and my contributions to the Word of the Day Project. Here's his self-portrait; I love the bold contrast of the black, pink, and yellow. We're not quite done yet but I'll be sure to show the finished product, whenever it's ready!
Our hat could use a few more words, would you like to submit one in the comments?